Adjustable elevation post and insulator construction



Sept. 1, 1942. s. c. MILLER 9 9 ADJUSTABLE ELEVATION POST AND INSULATOR CONSTRUCTION Filed May 25, 1940' 3 Sheets-Sheet l 4x INVENTOR.

52 M054 C. M/LLER A TTO EY Sept. 1, 1942.

s. c; MILLER ADJUSTABLE ELEVATION POST AND INSULATOR CONSTRUCTION Filed May 25, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR M/L 1. 5/?

' ATTORNEY.

S. C. MILLER Sept. 1, 1942.

ADJUSTABLE ELEVATION POST AND INSULATOR CONSTRUCTION Filed May 25, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 614M061 C. M/ALE/Q BY W M ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 1, 1942 ADJUSTABLE ELEVATION POST AND INSULATOR CONSTRUCTION Samuel C. Miller, New York, N. Y.

Application May 25, 1940, Serial No. 337,193

9 Claims.

This invention relates in general to the mounting of luminous gaseous electrical discharge devices, such as the well known neon lights or the like.

More particularly, it relates to means for mounting such tubes on backing or base plates such as customarily used in luminous sign work, in which tubes of various sizes, configurations and collars are assembled on such backings.

In mounting luminous tubes of the character mentioned on such backing plates, it is found that many contrivances for effecting such mounting are inconvenient and ineffective for the purpose because of the labor required in applying them, the lack of adjustability to the many varied contours of the tubes and their tendency to get out of adjustment after they are installed.

It is among the general objects of my invention to overcome the defects of previously known devices for mounting luminous gaseous electrical discharge tubes by the provision of an arrangement for this purpose that is simple, low in cost, effective in use, and convenient to install.

It is among the more particular objects of my invention to provide in a device for the mounting of luminous gaseous discharge tubes on a backing a construction permitting a wide range of adjustability, both laterally and in a direction away from the backing plate, whereby the spacing of the tube from the plate is determined.

It is further among the particular objects of my invention to provide in a device for mounting luminous gaseous discharge tubes on a backing an arrangement whereby a post on which the tube is seated is adjustably mounted in a socket which itself is adjustably mounted on a bracket positioned on the backing plate.

Among the more particular objects of my invention is also the provision of a construction whereby the spacing between a luminous tube and a backing plate ma be conveniently controlled between wide limits without the necessity of breaking off portions of the post to which the luminous tube is attached, which breaking off is frequently necessary with devices of this character as heretofore constructed.

It is also among the more particular objects of my invention to provide means for securing a mounting arrangement for luminous tubes to a backing plate, which means may be so associated with a portion of said arrangement that it can be handled as a unit therewith.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out, I make reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in which:

Figure l is a view in perspective showing one illustrative embodiment of my invention; showing a luminous discharge tube mounted in place thereon;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 1 showing a tube seated thereon and showing the same mounted on a backing plate, on an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figures 4 and 5 are views in perspective on a different scale of the socket and bracket portion embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional View substantially on the line 66 of Figure 3 through the embodiment of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially on the line 'l'! of Figure 2;

Figures 8 and 9 show, respectively, a modified form of a post and socket which may be used in place of the post and socket of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view partly in section and on an enlarged scale showing the post and the socket of Figures 8 and 9 in assembled position on a bracket;

Figure 11 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of my invention, a tube being indicated as seated thereon;

Figure 12 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line l3-l3 of Figure 11, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the socket member of the embodiment of Figure 11;

Figure 15 is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of my invention;

Figure 16 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line |6-l6 of Figure 15 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 17 is a front elevational view of a further embodiment of my invention;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary view partly in section of a portion of the embodiment of Figure 17 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 19 is a sectional view substantially on the line Iii-l9 of Figure 17, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure is a front elevational view of another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 21 is a side elevational view partly in section of the embodiment of Figure 20;

Figure 22 is a sectional view substantially on the line 22-22 of Figure 20, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figures 23, 24 and 25 are respectively perspective views of a standard conventional type of post, a socket according to my invention adapted to receive said post, and a bracket adapted for use with the said socket and post.

I will now proceed to describe in detail the first embodiment illustrative of my invention and for this purpose will refer to Figures 1 to 7 inclusive of the drawings in which this embodiment is illustrated.

In general, the mounting means for luminous tubes that is the subject of my invention comprises a post P adapted to receive seated thereon a luminous tube L and a bracket B adapted to be mounted on a backing plate F (see Figure 2), and further a socket member S adapted to receive both the post P and the bracket B so as to integrate the same.

The post P of this embodiment is shown as in the form of an elongated member, of insulating material, and of a cross section that is substan tially rectangular (see Figure 3). The insulating material preferred by me is glass.

At its upper end it is provided with horn-like extensions and 3| between which the end is concavely contoured as shown at 32 so as to provide a seat for the tube L. As indicated in Figure 1, the horns 30 and 3| serve to provide hooks within the bight portions 33 and 34, of which a fastening element 35 may be anchored, this fastening means being shown as in the form of a wire embracing the tube and the horns as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2.

In the middle of each of two opposed sides of the post P is a longitudinal groove 36. A series of transverse grooves 31 are also provided on each of said sides.

The bracket B comprises a portion 38 that is adapted to project from the backing plate F and to have its end portion seat within one of the grooves 36 of the post P, the grooves 36 being contoured and dimensioned for this purpose. The bracket B further comprises a portion 39 angularly directed to the portion 38 and adapted to seat on the plate F, as shown in Figure 2. At the end of the portion 39 is provided an eye 40 through which fastening means 4|, such as a screw, may be inserted, by means of which the bracket is secured to the backing plate F.

A series of annular grooves 42 are shown provided on the portion 38 of the bracket B at spaced intervals, and these may be spaced similarly to the grooves 31 on the post P.

When the end 38 of the bracket B is seated in a groove 36 of the post P, these two parts may be locked together in assembled relation by means of the socket S which is in the form of a split sleeve adapted to fit slidably over the post P, for which purpose it has its free end portions 43 made resilient as indicated in Figure 4'.

At the back 44 of the socket S a bulged out portion 45 is provided and when the socket is mounted on the post P the end 38 of the bracket B will just be accommodated within a groove 35 and the bulged portion 45.

An interlocking efiect of these parts is secured by providing the struck-up portions 46 in the back 44 of the socket S and a struck-up portion 41 in the bulged out portion 45. These serve to provide inwardly projected projections which, respectively, are adapted to seat within the grooves 31 of the post P and the grooves 32 of the bracket B. (See Figure '7.)

Owing to the resiliency of the end portions 43 of the socket S the wall 44 of the socket is pressed against the adjacent wall of the post P and as a result the portions 46 tend to spring into the grooves 37 and to retain the socket within these grooves.

Ordinarily the socket when in engagement with particular ones of the grooves 31 of the post P will remain engaged therewith and be held securely against the action of all accidental displacing forces. At the same time displacement for purposes of adjustment can be readily eifected.

Similarly the projection 47 of the bulged portion 45 will spring into the grooves 32 of the end 38 of bracket B.

It will therefore be obvious that adjustment of the spacing between the tube L of the backing plate is readily efiected by simply sliding the bracket B relatively to the socket S or the post P relatively to the socket S, or by doing both. The advantages of such a double adjustment will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

It is also to be noted that the post P can swivel on the bracket B and that the latter is readily adjustable laterally about the pivot provided by the eyelet 43. The adjustment also of the post P on the bracket is indicated in Figure 3 in dot and dash lines. From this figure it will be observed that the post can be swung completely about the bracket as a pivot.

In Figure 5 the bracket B is shown with an eX- tension38 that is longer than the similar extension as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

This is intended to indicate the possibility of a further adjustment which consists in breaking off or cutting off portions of the extension 38 so as to shorten it. In order to effect such shortening the grooves 62 form convenient breaking or cutting points.

It has been mentioned that the free ends or tongues 43 of the socket S are resilient. It will be understood, of course, that the whole socket S may be made of resilient material Without affecting the functioning of the socket, as explained hereinabove. It will also be observed from Figures 4 and 6 that the tongues 43 are shown in their normal or untensioned position, as bent slightly inward. This construction will assure a proper action of the tongues at all times and yet will permit a sliding movement of the socket S over the post P.

In the modified form of the embodiment of Figure 1 as illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and 10 I have shown the post P, as provided with grooves 36' on opposed faces thereof, and transverse grooves 31' having the function of the grooves 31 of Figure 1, are also disposed on the said faces. It will be observed that the grooves 31' are closely adjacent to each other whereas in Figure 1 the grooves 3'! are spaced at intervals.

The socket S while in general resembling the socket S has tongues 41a projecting from the end portions of the bulbs 45', and tongue 18 projecting from the upper and lower edges of the rear face 44 of the socket S. These tongues are adapted to engage respectively annular grooves 42 provided in the bracket B (see Figure 10), and the aforementioned grooves 3'! of the post P.

The tongue construction of this modification may be more convenient for certain purposes than the construction of the first embodiment. The grooves 31 with their close spacing give the advantage of a finer degree of adjustment and with the same end in View the annular grooves on the bracket B have also been shown as spaced more closely than the grooves 42 of the first embodiment. The remaining parts of this embodiment require no description. They have been numbered like the corresponding parts of the first embodiment except that the numerals have been primed.

It will be understood that except for the differences mentioned, the functioning of this modification is substantially identical with that of the first embodiment.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 11 to 14 the mounting means comprises a post Q, a

bracket C and a socket T, these having funca tions resembling the corresponding parts of the first embodiment. However, no transverse grooves are provided in the post which is entirely smooth and therefore permits free continuous adjustment of the post Q and the bracket C within socket T to any point intermediate their limiting positions of adjustment. Instead of the inter-engagement of grooves and projections, reliance for a locking effect is placed entirely on the resilient grip of the socket T.

More in detail, the post Q of this embodiment is shown as of circular cross section (see Figure 7) and as having a groove 56 running lengthwise thereof on one side, in which groove is adapted to seat one branch of the bracket C. The socket T as appears from Figure 13 is of spherical ring construction having a bulge 52 on the bight portion thereof which is adapted to encompass the portion 5| of the bracket C when it is seated in the groove 56. The socket T is made of resilient material, or at least its free end portions 53 are made resilient so that when the parts are assembled as shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13, the socket T will press the bracket portion 5| into engagement with the walls of the groove 50 so as to secure sufficient frictional resistance to hold the parts in place under ordinary conditions of use. Concomitantly with the pressure of the part 5| into the walls of the groove 55 the socket T exerts pressure against i,

the outer walls of the post Q and also against the walls of the part 5!, and sufficient frictional resistance is thereby secured to hold the post and the bracket portion 5! in any desired position of adjustment within the socket T.

The bracket C is in general similar to the bracket B of the first embodiment. Besides the upstanding portion 5! it has the lateral portion 54 adapted to seat on the backing plate and provided with an eyelet 55.

In order to secure the bracket C to a back- H ing plate I have shown a fastening means having peculiar advantages. This fastening means is shown as in the form of a screw 56 which may be of the hardened type which will cut its 1 53 sprung into place during the course of assembly. Whichever method is adopted, however, it will be obvious that the resulting assembly is highly convenient during the process of installing the luminous tubes on the backing because the screw 56 forms a unit with the bracket C so that only one piece need be handled instead of two, while at the same time the screw may be freely turned within its seat, just as though it were an entirely separate piece.

As during the process of installation it frequently happens that the workman drops a screw he is about to use while he is on a scaffold and thereby loses it, the advantages of this unit assembly will now be readily apparent.

To complete the description requires only a mention of the horns 60 at the top of the post Q and the seat 6| also at the top of the post in which is adapted to seat a luminous tube M. It will be observed that the seat 6! instead of being concavely curved like the seat 32 of the first embodiment has been shown as formed by two angularly related surfaces which is advantageous for certain purposes because it assures a two line contact for luminous tubes varying widely in diameter whereas in the first embodiment if the radius of the tube is less than the radius of the seat, only a one line contact is obtained.

The function of this embodiment of my invention has already been sufficiently indicated to make further explanation thereof unnecessary.

The embodiment of Figures 15 and 16 is substantially identical in function with the last described embodiment.

It will suffice to point out that the post R.

. instead of being of circular cross section as the post Q is of eliptical cross section, (see Figure 16) which may be found preferable for certain purposes. A further distinction is the provision of a shoulder 65 beneath the horns 66 extending laterally from the top of the post R.

The bracket D may be identical with the bracket C and the socket U differs from the socket T only in its eliptical form. It is pro vided with a bulge 61 within which seats the outer portion of the bracket D and the spring tension necessary to maintain the parts in adjustment is provided by the resilient end portions 68 of the socket.

The embodiment of Figures 15 and 16 is so similar to that of Figures 17, 18 and 19, that all the corresponding parts thereof have been numbered similarly to the parts of Figures 15 and 16 except that the numerals have been primed. This embodiment differs from the prior embodiment only in the provision of a groove in the stem of the post R within which the socket U is adapted to seat and thereby to lock the post R against relative movement. Continuous adjustment is therefore confined to adjustment between the socket U and the bracket D. Further description of this embodiment is omitted as superfiuous since outside of the difference just mentioned both the construction and the function is identical with that of the embodiment of Figures and 16.

In the embodiment shown in Figures to I have shown an arrangement in which a post 0 of standard conventional type may be used. Such a post is ordinarily made circular in cross section and provided with annular grooves 15 provided at spaced intervals on its stem portion. Like the posts described in the preceding embodiments, it is also provided with a pair of horns 16 and a seat 11 for a luminous tube.

The bracket E is of a construction identical with the bracket C and D of the embodiments of Figures 11 and 15, and fastening means 11a similar to the screw 53 of Figure 11 has been shown seated in place in the eyelet 18 on the bracket. 7

Since the standard post has no groove within which the end of the bracket E may be seated, such as the post described in the foregoing embodiments, a construction for the socket V is shown in which the upper part 19 of the bracket E is held within a portion 8!] that is in the form of a split ring, from the free end portions of which branch out portions 8| which are adapted to embrace the post Q.

It will be observed that the socket V is therefore in the form of what may be called a double split ring. In order to provide locking between the socket and the post I have shown projections 82 struck inwardly out of the portions 8| of the socket V and these projections are adapted to enter the grooves l of the post 0 and to hold the latter securely against axial movement of the post relatively to the socket V.

It will be observed that continuous adjustment is possible only between the bracket E and the socket V and that the adjustment between the post 0 and the socket V is only possible by steps, and further, that the socket V is locked in any one of its possible positions of adjustment rela tive to the post 0.

It will further be oberved that the pressure of the portion 8!] on the bracket portion 19 is to a great extent independent of the pressure exerted by the socket portions M on the post 0' whereas in the preceding embodiments these pressures were inter-related, the socket pressing not merely against the post and the bracket, but also pressing the post against the bracket.

It will therefore be understood that I have provided by my invention a construction for mounting luminous tubes on backing plates that is highly effective in use and convenient to install and that has many advantages from the manufacturing standpoint, such as being simple and low in cost.

While I have herein disclosed several illus trative embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that my invention may be embodied in many other forms Without departing from the spirit thereof, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art. It will further be understood that the disclosure herein is by way of illustration merely, and is not to be interpreted in a limiting sense, and that I do not limit myself other than as called for by the prior art.

It will be observed that one of the advantages of my invention resides in construction incident to the making of the posts P, O, Q, R, and R, of definite size. This is particularly valuable where the insulating material from which these posts are made is of glass. In devices known to me, adjustability of height between the supporting end upon which the neon sign tube rests, and the frame was obtained by breaking off sections of the post. Such devices required special indentations of frangible sections to facilitate the fracture of or cleavage at definite points. The provision of such an expedient incidentally weakened the post, causing losses in storage and handling.

By my construction, particularly the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 19, a frangible portion need not be provided in the post where this is made of glass or similar brittle insulating material. This will simplify the manufacture of these insulating materials and effect considerable economies not only in the production costs, but the elimination of losses due to accidental or inaccurate breakage, and the use of inadequate tools in addition to providing a sturdier construction than heretofore attained.

It will be understood that while I may additionally provide a post of glass or of other brittle insulating material with frangible portions, further to augment the relative adjustability, such form of construction is secondary to the primary features emphasized by me.

It will be also understood that my construction is available for use with glass posts known to me and the construction illustrated in Figures 20 to 25 as to the attaching means therein illustrated is available for this purpose.

It will be further understood that while in the embodiments illustrated the most effective results are obtained by combining all the features illustrated in the combinations, it is not intended to be limited to the employment of all of the features so combined but invention is regarded as having broader applicability that segregated portions have novelty per se and that the invention is to be construed in the light of the appended claims.

Matter divided from this application is included in my application Serial No. 369,798, filed December 12, 1940.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a connecting means for mounting luminous gaseous discharge tubes on a backing, a bracket adapted for attachment to the backing, a post adapted to seat a luminous gaseous discharge tube, and resilient means to frictionally grip said post and said bracket, and to permit bodily swivelling of the bracket relatively there to, pivot points whereof being eccentric to said post, and to permit axial adjustment of said bracket and said post therein.

2. In a connecting means for mounting luminous gaseous discharge tubes on a backing, a bracket adapted for attachment to the backing, a post adapted to seat a luminous gaseous discharge tube, and means having pivot bearings interconnecting said bracket to hold said bracket and said post in swivelling engagement, pivot points whereof being eccentric to said post and to permit relative axial adjustment thereof.

3. In means for mounting a luminous gaseous discharge tube on a backing, a bracket adapted to be secured to said backing, and provided with a round rod-like extension projecting outwardly from the backing when the bracket is secured thereto, a post adapted to seat a luminous tube, a groove in said post adapted to seat said rodlike extension, and means to frictionally engage said extension and said post and to press said extension into said groove in the post.

4. In means for mounting a luminous gaseous discharge tube on a backing, a bracket adapted to be secured to said backing, and provided with a round rod-like extension projecting outwardly from the backing when the bracket is secured thereto, a post adapted to seat a luminous tube, an eccentrically positioned groove in said post adapted to seat said rod-like extension whereby said post may pivot bodily about said extension, resilient means to clamp said extension in place in said groove of the post, complementary means on said extension and said clamping means adapted to interlock said clamping means and said extension against axial movement of the latter, and complementary means on said post and on said clamping means adapted to interlock said post and said clamping means against relative movement of the latter.

5. In a combination as set forth in claim 3, said means being resilient and in the form of a split resilient sleeve extended to embrace both the post and the extension.

6. In means for mounting a luminous gaseous discharge tube on a backing, a post adapted to seat the tube, a brackethaving a standard adapted for attachment to the backing, and a resilient socket adapted to receive portion of the post and of the standard of said bracket and to press them against each other and eccentrically of each other, whereby when the bracket and the post are adjusted relatively to each other and the post and standard may pivot bodily about each other, their contact under pressure within the socket will serve to maintain them in said adjusted position.

7. Means for mounting a luminous gaseous incharge tube on a backing, said means comprising a post, a bracket comprising an elongated upstanding standard, and resilient means adapted to frictionally grip said upstanding portion and also adapted to frictionally grip said post and hold said post and standard for eccentric pivotal movement in respect of each other, and complementary means on said post and on said resilient means adapted normally to interlock so as to hold said post against axial displacement, but adapted to be released by manipulation of said resilient means.

8. In means for mounting a luminous gaseous discharge tube on a backing, a bracket provided with a foot portion adapted to be secured to a backing and with a portion forming a standard upstanding from said foot portion, said upstanding portion being in the form of a round rod to provide a bearing surface about it and having annular grooves thereon at spaced intervals, said grooves serving to receive projections on other parts of the mounting and to thereby hold said parts against axial movement, and further serving as breaking points for reducing the length of said extensions when desired.

9. In means for mounting and insulating luminous gaseous discharge tubes on a backplate or frame, by a bracket having an extended rod-like element, an insulator post, an end whereof is provided with a seat for said tube and the body whereof has a longitudinally disposed, eccentrically position slot along the shank thereof adapted to receive said rod-like element and to combine with means to hold said bracket and post in engagement to make a lap joint with the rod of said bracket, and be sleeved within said slot in adjustable and frictional contact whereby said post may pivot eccentrically about said element.

SAMUEL C. MILLER. 

